William Gunn (cricketer)
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | St Ann's, Nottingham | 4 December 1858|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 19 January 1921 Standard Hill, Nottingham | (aged 62)|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling | Right-arm slow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National side | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Test debut (cap 52) | 28 January 1887 v Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Test | 3 June 1899 v Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: CricInfo, 12 December 2018 |
William Gunn (4 December 1858 – 29 January 1921) was an English sportsman who played internationally in both
Cricket career
Born at St Ann's,
In his
...we think we are correct in saying that no batsman of the same height [6 ft. 2½ in.][3] has ever played in more elegant and perfect form. Even before he rose to his fame as a batsman, Gunn was one of the most brilliant fields in the country, and it was the general opinion of practical cricketers of his era that in the long field and at third man he had never had a superior. Gunn was a member of Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury's team in Australia during the season of 1886/7, and averaged 21.8 in eleven-a-side matches, and 20.7 in all matches.
Football career
Early career
Gunn first signed to play football for Nottingham Forest. Gunn signed for Forest sometime in 1880–1881 and made only one appearance for Forest, in 1881.
In the February 1882 he signed for Notts County but had to wait until November 1882 to make his debut. This was an
Wisden described his footballing career in the following terms: "For several years Gunn was one of the most brilliant forwards in the country at Association football, but latterly gave up the game, reserving himself entirely for cricket." Gunn founded the sports equipment firm
1888–1889 season
Gunn, playing as a winger, made his
1889 onwards
By season 1892–93, when Billy Gunn ceased playing football, he had made 28 appearances (three League) and scored 14 goals (one League). Even before he finished playing Gunn was appointed a director of Notts County Football Club in August 1890. In July 1920 he became the President of Notts County Football Club. In a series of reader's letters appearing in the 'Football Post' in 1920, a Mr. W. Dawson of Sutton–in–Ashfield, shared his reminisces of Billy Gunn: "The finest outside–right who ever played football. How he used to delight the Trent Bridge spectators with his delightful runs along the wing. He seemed to go from one end of the field to the other in about three strides." The latter observation obviously associated with his great height and resultant long stride. Gunn was also renowned – before the law changed – for massive one–armed throws from the touchline. He died, still as President of Notts County, on 19 January 1921, in the Standard Hill district of Nottingham, at the age of 63.[4]
Gallery
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Left-right: John, Billy and George Gunn c. 1904
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Billy Gunn aged 3
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Aged 14
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Aged 21
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Aged 34
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Gunn's drive between mid-off and extra-cover
References
- ^ a b c "Have it!" (Dec 2008) Four Four Two, No. 172, p. 48
- ^ a b "BATSMAN OF THE YEAR – 1890". John Wisden & Co. 1891. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
- ^ "William Gunn" (1892) The Strand Magazine Vol. 4, p. 42
- ^ ISBN 0-9547830-6-9.
- ^ "English National Football Archive". Retrieved 22 February 2018. (registration & fee required)
- ^ "Notts County Football Club". Retrieved 22 April 2018.
External links
- Media related to William Gunn (cricketer) at Wikimedia Commons
- William Gunn at ESPNcricinfo